ABC Orders Imaginary Friend Comedy Pilot from ‘The Goldbergs’ Team

ABC is expanding its relationship with “The Goldbergs” creator Adam F. Goldberg, ordering a pilot for a new comedy series from him and David Guaracio, an exec producer on “The Goldbergs,” Variety has learned.

Like “The Goldbergs,” the new project is also a family comedy of sorts, but with a twist — there’s an imaginary friend on board.

The untitled female-led pilot centers on a thirty-something bachelorette whose life is turned upside-down when she finally meets the love of her life — a divorced father with three kids. This triggers even more upheaval when the slightly unhinged imaginary friend she created as an only child suddenly reappears in her life to help her navigate the transition from single girl to a woman ready for a family.

Guaracio and Goldberg co-wrote the pilot (previously titled “Imaginary Friend”) for the single-camera comedy, which is a blend of live-action and CGI animation. They will exec produce along with Patrick Osbourne and Doug Robinson. Happy Madison and Sony will co-produce.

Imaginary friend-themed projects are on their way to becoming a trend this pilot season. Over at NBC, “Will & Grace’s” Sean Hayes is producing a pilot actually titled “Imaginary Friend” — perhaps why ABC changed their title — which stars “Glee” alum Alex Newell.

For ABC, the Goldberg/Guaracio pilot joins a sitcom slate that includes “Downward Dog,” starring Allison Tolman; cancer-themed comedy “Pearl;” and “Speechless,” which revolves around a family with a special-needs child. So far, the comedies in contention at ABC largely center around female family-driven characters. On the drama side, ABC has ordered pilots for “The Jury” produced by Carol Mendelsohn, “Presence” from John Ridley and the “Agents of SHIELD” spinoff, “Marvel’s Most Wanted.”